Acoustic gel container

Abstract

An acoustic gel pack includes a container, a first pad, and a second pad. The container is adapted to contain acoustic gel and includes a wall, a first end having a first opening, and a second end having a second opening. A chamber is defined within the wall between the first end and the second end. The first pad is removeably coupled to the container to seal the first opening. The second pad is removeably coupled to the container to seal the second opening. The seals formed by the first pad over the first opening and the second pad over the second opening are adapted to prevent fluid infiltration into the chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An acoustic gel pack, comprising:
 a container configured to contain acoustic gel, the container comprising a wall, a first end having a first opening, and a second end having a second opening, wherein a chamber is defined within the wall between the first end and the second end;   a first pad removeably coupled to the container to seal the first opening; and   a second pad removeably coupled to the container to seal the second opening, wherein the seals formed by the first pad over the first opening and the second pad over the second opening are adapted to prevent fluid infiltration into the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 1 , wherein the wall comprises a collar encircling the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 2 , wherein the first opening has a width which is greater than a width of the second opening. 
     
     
         4 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 2 , wherein the first opening has a first width, the second opening has a second width, and an intermediate width at a location within the chamber between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the intermediate width is less than both the first width and the second width. 
     
     
         5 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 2 , wherein the collar further comprises a first surface at the first opening, wherein the first surface comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive of the first surface of the collar is disposed to be exposed when the first pad is removed. 
     
     
         7 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a bag, the bag comprising a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, wherein the first pad is removeably coupled to the first side of the bag and the second pad is removeably coupled to the second side of the bag. 
     
     
         8 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the first pad is coupled to the first side at a joint. 
     
     
         9 . The acoustic gel pack of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a first surface shaped to stackably receive a second surface of another container. 
     
     
         10 . A lithotripsy system comprising:
 an acoustic wave generating apparatus comprising an acoustic wave head;   a container comprising a wall, the wall having a first opening and a second opening, wherein a chamber is defined within the wall between the first opening and the second opening, the chamber contains acoustic gel, and the second opening is sized to receive the acoustic wave head;   a first pad removeably coupled to the container to seal the first opening; and   a second pad removeably coupled to the container to seal the second opening.   
     
     
         11 . The lithotripsy system of  claim 10 , wherein the second opening of the container has a diameter which is substantially similar to a diameter of the acoustic wave head. 
     
     
         12 . The lithotripsy system of  claim 10 , wherein the first opening has a cross-sectional area which is greater than a cross-sectional area of the acoustic wave head. 
     
     
         13 . The lithotripsy system of  claim 10 , wherein the wall contains a first portion which is separable from a second portion, wherein the first pad and second pad are constrained between the first portion of the wall and the second portion of the wall. 
     
     
         14 . The lithotripsy system of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the first pad is transparent material. 
     
     
         15 . The lithotripsy system of  claim 10 , wherein the chamber has a pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         16 . The lithotripsy system of  claim 15 , wherein the first pad has an outward convex curved surface. 
     
     
         17 . A method of performing lithotripsy, comprising:
 removing a first pad from a first opening of an acoustic gel pack, the acoustic gel pack comprising a wall, a first end having the first opening, and second end having a second opening, wherein a chamber is defined within the wall between the first opening and the second opening, the chamber containing air-evacuated acoustic gel;   applying the first opening of the acoustic gel pack to one of an acoustic wave head or a body of a patient;   removing a second pad from the second opening of the acoustic gel pack; and   applying the second opening of the acoustic gel pack to the other of the acoustic wave head or the body of the patient.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising moving the acoustic wave head within the wall of the acoustic gel pack. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising removing the wall from the body of the patient before applying the second opening of the acoustic gel pack to the other of the acoustic wave head or the body of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising adhesively coupling a surface of the wall of the acoustic gel pack to the body of the patient.